NANY 2011 Release: Ten Timer

[skwire]

NANY 2011 Entry Information

Application Name	Ten Timer
Version	1.0.6
Short Description	Simple multiple timer app
Supported OSes	Windows (all)
Web Page	Website
Download Link	Download
Author	Skwire Empire

Description
Up to twenty-five countup and ten countdown timers in one, easy-to-use, interface.

Features

• Simple interface.

Screenshots


Usage
Installation
Download the zip file and extract its contents into a new folder.  Run TenTimer.exe to start the application.

Using the Application
There are three buttons per timer.  The first one will start/stop a timer.  The second will reset a timer to 00:00:00.  You can also enter a label for each timer.  The third button will allow you to change the per-timer options.

Uninstallation
Delete the folder you unzipped it to.  The application doesn't write to the registry.

Known Issues
This app isn't designed to be some super-accurate Stratum 1 clock.  The timer resolution is one second.

[mouser]

Planned Features - Addition of ten countdown timers.

yes! 

[Winkie]

Planned Features - Addition of ten countdown timers.

yes!  

+1, finally an end to different instances for different timers! With sound(s) I assume?. (One for all will fit my needs)

I really like the simple interface, but maybe some colours will distinguish the timers...
Something like this for example:
[attach]

[mouser]

May i suggest a paradigm for considering some options like setting colors?

The smartest thing might be to simply say that such options are not worth implementing.

But a second choice would be to say that it's not worth writing a whole user interface system for changing colors, and instead just support some way that advanced users can edit and an advanced setting file that is read that controls things like colors or sounds, etc.

The point i'm trying to make in general is that often its coding the user interface system for configuring esoteric options that makes adding such options so impractical, and that a manually-editable advanced options file idea might come to the rescue for a wide variety of features in a wide range of programs.

[Winkie]

May i suggest a paradigm for considering some options like setting colors?

The smartest thing might be to simply say that such options are not worth implementing.

But a second choice would be to say that it's not worth writing a whole user interface system for changing colors, and instead just support some way that advanced users can edit and an advanced setting file that is read that controls things like colors or sounds, etc.

The point i'm trying to make in general is that often its coding the user interface system for configuring esoteric options that makes adding such options so impractical, and that a manually-editable advanced options file idea might come to the rescue for a wide variety of features in a wide range of programs.

In general I agree that you can't endless implement user interface options. But since the only function of this GUI is showing how time flies, it deserves some display/style options.

How options are implemented isn't very important, the mock-up I made was just an example. Personally I don't like Ini-tweak screenshots.

[mouser]

Yeah I was only making a general comment, wasn't meaning to pass judgement on this particular case.

[skwire]

I totally agree with mouser regarding user options.  Most times, it's more of a pain in the ass to implement an options GUI than it is to implement the actual option.  Regarding the colour request, I'll see what I can do.  =]

[skwire]

Apologies for the delay.  

Website | Download
v1.0.2 - 2010-11-25
   + Added ability for timers to have colours.  Choose Contents from the
     Help menu for instructions.  (Thanks, Winkie)

[steeladept]

Just an idea for consideration....

Often things start at the same time but have different stop times.  There is no way I see to accomplish this now, but perhaps a trivial additional button that would start all times at the same time?  Just thinking out loud. 

[skwire]

I should have added that to the last changelog entry.  The latest version does have two extra buttons.  One that will toggle the current start/stop state of each timer and another that will reset all timers.

[steeladept]

That covers it then 

Guess I should go by more than just the screenshot though. 

[Winkie]

v1.0.2 - 2010-11-25
   + Added ability for timers to have colours.  Choose Contents from the
     Help menu for instructions.  (Thanks, Winkie)

Thank YOU, looks now.

[skwire]

Guess I should go by more than just the screenshot though. 

Well, to be fair, I should have updated the screenshot at least (which I just did).

[mouser]

when are the count down timers coming?

[Stoic Joker]

This is probably more of a philosophical question, but...

I noticed that the program creates a config.ini file, which is a logical choice that I've made myself a time or two ... Therein lying the problem. If someone was to keep a bunch of their favorite small programs in a single folder there is a potential to have a conflict between who is doing what with config.ini.

Would it be better to have a ProgName.ini file? Or am I just looking for trouble where there ain't none?

[skwire]

@mouser:  Soon. 

@Stoic Joker: I suppose that could present an issue.  That being said, the only place I ever keep multiple programs in the same folder is my collection of commandline utils.  Otherwise, each program gets its own directory on my computers.

[skwire]

Website | Download
v1.0.3 - 2011-01-28
    + Times are now saved between sessions.
    + Added ten countdown timers.  (Thanks, mouser)
          + Countdown timers have configurable start times.  When resetting a countdown timer, its time will be reset to the configured value.
          + Optional WAV file to play when a countdown timer expires.
          + Optional message box when a countdown timer expires.
          + Optional balloon tray tip when a countdown timer expires.
    + Added options dialog for each timer.  No more manual tweaking of the INI file to add colours to a timer.
    + Added separate "start all" and "stop all" buttons.
    + Added "Minimize to tray" option.  (Thanks, mouser)

[mouser]

Added ten countdown timers.

AWESOME!!! 

I love it -- perfect for keeping track of a bunch of things at once.

[skwire]

Thanks for all the suggestions, mouser.  Much appreciated.  =]

[Winkie]

Skwire, thanks for ten more timers.

Two remarks:

2) Ctrl-Shift+1 through Ctrl-Shift+0 will reset a countup timer.

= Ctrl-Alt+1...

    + Added separate "start all" and "stop all" buttons.

Personally I would like it if these button affect only the timers which have text in it's edit field.
Especially the countdown timers, which now start at one hour if a timer is not set. I would like it to be: not set = not run.

[skwire]

Skwire, thanks for ten more timers.

You're welcome. 

2) Ctrl-Shift+1 through Ctrl-Shift+0 will reset a countup timer.

= Ctrl-Alt+1...

I'm an idiot...thanks for catching that.  So, which way would you like it to be?  I can do either.

Personally I would like it if these button affect only the timers which have text in it's edit field.

I'll think about this one.  Thanks.

Especially the countdown timers, which now start at one hour if a timer is not set. I would like it to be: not set = not run.

That's actually a bug that I need to fix.

[Winkie]

So, which way would you like it to be?  I can do either.

SHIFT, that way I can reach more numbers with only my left hand than with Alt.
Also noticed now that Numpad keys aren't used. Maybe use these for the countdown timers?

[mouser]

A totally not-needed but cute option would be to be able to configure TenTimers and tell it how many of the 10 rows to show.  so that we could use it as 5 timers, etc.

[skwire]

It would sort of defeat the purpose of its name, no? 

[worstje]

You could always add an image of a dude with ten hot girls... and the reverse variety to cater to your female customers.